Breathe in the smells of the American Frontier as you experience the same tried and true traditions

Col. John Parker was an American Patriot. Born in 1758, he served in the American Revolution, was a land surveyor, a Primitive Baptist Preacher, a diplomat for the American Government, the initiator of the infamous Texas Rangers, and a scout over the western frontier with his friend, Daniel Boone. Boone, most commonly known as a skilled outdoorsman also fought in The War for Independence, acted as a land surveyor, served as an influential leader, and blazed the Wilderness Road through the Cumberland Gap of Tennessee and into central Kentucky prior to taking his seat in the early government of this infant region. With an extensive dependence upon one another in the plight for purpose and survival, it is no wonder Elder John Parker named his firstborn son, Daniel, in Boone's honor.

“The religion I have to love and fear God, believe in Jesus Christ, do all the good to my neighbor, and myself that I can, do as little harm as I can help, and trust on God's mercy for the rest.” -Daniel Boone

The Parker family resided along the Duck River in Bedford County, Tennessee and then in Illinois before migrating south in the early 1830s. The extended families of the Boones and Parkers, interwoven from America's inception, naturally trusted each other to make the trip into unsettled Mexican Texas at Stephen F. Austin's request. Known as The Old Three Hundred, 297 groups committed to the journey with the express purpose of colonizing the wild land.

Overrun with violent Indians who felt threatened by western settlers, the stakes were indefinitely high. Elder John established Fort Parker, where his granddaughter, Cynthia Ann Parker, was kidnapped by the Comanche tribe, and later gave birth to the last Comanche Indian Chief, Quanah Parker.

“Stand your ground. Dont fire unless fired upon. But if they mean to have war, let it begin here.” - Captain John Parker.

The Families established themselves in the land and prospered in entrepreneurship throughout the next 8 generations. In 2003, two descendants of these prominent forerunners joined in marriage, and today, the McReynolds' family business operates along the proverbial banks of the Duck River in Bedford County, via our storefront in Historic Bell Buckle, Tennessee.

We've come full circle after blazing the trail of independence, bringing with us the firm commitment to faith, family and freedom for which our forefathers fought. When you cross the threshold of Alley BBQ, you'll breathe in the smells of the American frontier as you experience the same tried and true traditions that sustained our families for hundreds of years. We smoke our meat the way our ancestors did, and welcome you with warm southern hospitality to our table. And every now and then, you might even encounter cowboys with their horses hitched up out front while they enjoy authentic Texas BBQ before ridin' back out on the trail.

In the words of Daniel Boone, “It isn't how you die. It's what you live for.”

We hope you'll savor a taste of that conviction every single time you're here.